On October 23, 2025, King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican as part of their official State Visit. They were welcomed into the San Damaso Courtyard by the Swiss Guard to the sound of the hymn “God Save the King.” The King and Queen were greeted by the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.
The King and Queen met Pope Leo XIV at his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, before attending an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel. For the occasion, Queen Camilla wore a black silk dress by Fiona Clare, a traditional mantilla by Philip Treacy, and a “raspberry pip” cross-shaped brooch that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles III And Queen Camilla, accompanied by Pope Leo, then attended a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England in a celebration of ecumenism.
The headdress is a bit too spikey for my taste. I would have prefered the feathers to be arranged in a more soft way. Else, she is, of course, dressed very much according to Vatican protocol, in particular when attending a private mass (held in the Sistine Chapel) in the presence of the Pope.
ردحذفshe could have taken advantage of her vatican Royal privilege to wear white
حذفI agree regarding the "spikeyness" of the headwear. However, it is something she would have been very, very much aware of, so I wonder if it has some symbolic or other meaning outside of fashion alone. It was certainly a bold choice.
حذفAgree. Without feathers would be much better.
حذفYes indeed, I thought the same about the headdress, would prefer something softer.
حذفIt IS spiky, but looking face on, it beautifully frames her face. Interesting choice!
حذفMissy, since she is not a Catholic Queen, the rule of Privilege du Blanc does not apply to her. There haven’t been Catholic queens in England for a very long time!!
حذفI live here whole outfit except for the veil. I agree with the others who have said it looks like bats flying around her head. Not a good look for this visit.
@Missy - the privilege du blanc (wearing white) only applies to certain Catholic Queens and Princesses; it does not apply to the Queen of England/Camilla.
حذف-Royal Watcher
I thought that the privilege of wearing white is only for catholic kings and queens like eg Belgium and Monaco
حذفMissy, the protestants do not have any privilegie to wear White, only Catholic Queens.
حذفMissy @14:11 the Queen of England has no privilege. It's reserved for catholic queens. Spain, Monaco, Belgium, Luxemberg - I think that's the list of queens who can exercise Privilege du blanc.
حذف@Missy, the white privilege is for Catholic queens I believe.
حذفNot only Catholic queens, but Catholic queens [and Catholic princesses (Monaco) and Catholic Duchesses (G.D. Luxembourg)] who married a Catholic King, Prince or Duke.
حذفI also think she should have kept it simple. It looks a bit ridiculous in my opinion. An audience with the Pope is a bit like going to a funeral in that it is not the time to be "edgy."
حذفThe rule applies to the Catholic monarch or Catholic wife of the monarch. Prince Albert of Monaco, and now Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg are the monarchs of their respective countries, though not called a king. Lower ranking Catholic royals (princesses, hereditary grand duchesses) are not afforded privilège du blanc. Queen Maxima, while retaining her Catholic faith, is also excluded from privilège du blanc because her husband, King Willem-Alexander, is Protestant.
حذفThe spiky headband looks like a Halloween costume. MR
حذفThis is a very impressive visit! Think of having a mass read for you in the Sixtine chapel! Camilla has a bit of playfulness in her mantilla: I guess this relatively young Pope will appreciate it!
ردحذفThe mass is an ecumenical service marking the joigning of hands between the Catholic Church and the Church of England (read the introduction). The mass is not read for a person, although I am sure the pope didn't forgot King Charles in his prayers.
حذفI agree 14:04, there is some playfulness. Very much appreciated!
حذفI can't find words for the head piece. But is a big no for me It is drawing too much attention to Camilla, which in this setting is very innapropiate. Like wearing a carnalesk hat to a funeral.
ردحذفLisa
Agree !!
حذفAgreed. This is another one of those times when I wonder, "At what point did you look into the mirror and think this was a good look?" I would assume (and I could be wrong) that for these types of important visits more than one choice of outfit and accessories are laid out for her. If so, she should have realized the other option(s) was better than this one.
حذفI agree with you, Lisa — and also agree that this headwear looks outlandish — Jane
حذفLooks like a Halloween costume.
حذفDer Schleier ist gruselig, anfangs dachte ich sie trage einen Lorbeerkranz. Wahrscheinlich soll das etwas besonderes sein. Ich meine man solle sich an dem Sinn eines Schleiers orientieren oder an anderen Besucherinnen des Vatikans. Feinste Spitzen und Schleier die in der Tradition weitergegeben werden. Aber so ist das als vielleicht modisch modernes gedacht, zu gewagt für meinen Geschmack. Mich erinnert es an die Bavaria München, mehr noch an die Freiheitsstatue. - Dorothe -
ردحذفWith Halloween coming up the head band looks like a row of bats flying on the top of her head! Kind of spooky looking!
ردحذفHaha that's right
حذفThe attention seeking Cam, got her wish, she looks straight out of a Schitt's Creek Episode; https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/schitts-creek-the-crows-have-eyes-moira-rose.html
حذفMoi ça me fait penser à une branche d'arbre qui a pris feu et qui est toute carbonisée ;-) Paloma.
حذفOui avec un peu d’imagination hi, hi !
حذفI think it’s leaves. I love it.
حذفIt is not Halloween yet, Queen Camilla!
ردحذفI agree with the above comment, the headdress gives Halloween vibes
ردحذفI do not consider this a "traditional mantilla", as stated above. This is something else--I'm not sure what. I keep thinking widow's weeds, both figuratively and literally. I appreciate the intent, but I personally don't care for the headpiece. I have seen on other sites references to Halloween and Morticia Addams. I was wondering if it was an attempt to give the look of a tiara without wearing a tiara as was the tradition many years ago. I also think the tulle looks cheap, though I am sure it is not. A simple lace mantilla would have been lovely. The rest of her attire is quite appropriate. Charles is also very respectful of the Vatican's protocol and tradition with his black tie. I would have liked to have seen him in a dark grey suit instead of the blue. It is just my personal quirk, but I am so tired of the blue suits. This is a momentous occasion. Charles is the first King as the head of the Church of England to pray with a pope.
ردحذفCompletely agree that a gray suit on the King would have looked much better with the black tie and shoes. I really like the cut on the Queen’s dress, but the headpiece is distracting. She favors huge hats with tons of feathers/flowers so probably not surprising that this is the choice for the Vatican.
حذفI agree. This is not a "mantilla". A "mantilla" is made of lace, not of tulle.
حذفThe feathers are ridiculous.
Wearing a dark blue suit is allowed to visit the vatican. But since Camilla is dressed in black, the least he could do is wearing a very dark (navy, black or very dark gray) suit.
حذفLe Blanc est réservé aux souveraines de religion CATHOLIQUE
ردحذفOnly catholic queens may wear white
ردحذفUn NO assoluto per questo copricapo, possibile che nessuno le abbia fatto cambiare idea? Sembra quasi uno scherzo che ha tolto solennità a questo evento storico.
ردحذفQualcuno ha scritto “privilegio reale per indossare il bianco”, ma solo le regine cattoliche possono farlo.
Camilla is nicely dressed and groomed, but the top part of her veil initially looked to me like a group of crows or bats.
ردحذف-Royal Watcher
My initial thought on seeing the headpiece was the crown of thorns.
حذفI agree. I do think there must a meaning behind it.
حذفDamsel Dragonfly
Second thought: it's a mantilla with black leaves. Interesting, but the pointy ends give it a Halloween vibe. I do think it's better than Queen Elisabeths shiny tiara in the sixties (opinions may vary on that one). You can see more in detail here: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15219545/Queen-Camilla-echoes-Elizabeth-II-wearing-black-historic-meeting-Pope-nearly-65-years-late-monarchs-visit.html
حذفHonestly: I secretly hope she has some diamonds or black stones addes to make a new and interesting tiara from this one (like Mary's Midnight Tiara but more Camilla-style, somewhat bolder).
Damsel Dragonfly
It was once proper for royals to wear long black gowns and tiaras for a papal visit. The dress code has evolved and relaxed over the years. Now short black dresses are the standard. It is never wrong to wear a mantilla. All mantillas are a type of veil, but not all veils are mantillas. Camilla is wearing a veil. Queen Elizabeth had worn similar veils, and Camilla has worn a mantilla in the past.
حذفI like this coat, fit well. I wonder if the veil was from QE. The head piece does look rather strange,moerhaps it was to look like a crown, but I think it missed the mark giving crown of thorn, bats, vibe. I would of preferred the king to wear a darker suit for this ceremony however just being in attendance in the Sistine chapel wow.
ردحذفI can’t think why Camilla would add such decor to a classic mantilla.
ردحذفIs that a crown of thorns on her head?
Is she doing her penance in front of the Pope.?
Or, perhaps it’s just inspiration she picked up at Ascot.
Leaves I think. Probably symbolic. She looks beautiful.
حذفBeautiful is not an adjective to describe this queen.
حذفGreat sense of humor
ردحذفWhen I saw that headpiece, my first thought was about a Medusa.
ردحذفHaaaaaaaaa!
حذفI don't understand this "flame crown" - but apart from it, I think Camilla looks fabulous. Her dress is impeccable, the length and the shoes show very attractive legs. She seems to have changed her mind as for shoes, or found shoes that are comfortable *and* pretty looking.
ردحذفOK--Queen Camilla is beautifully dressed and I mean her dress. Camilla rarely goes wrong with her head gear--she really looks fabulous in a big, showy hat--but this topper for her veil is a 100% no for me. I understand she needed to anchor her veil but there is a multitude of solutions before this one should have come up.
ردحذفJanet
What is the ribbon Camilla is wearing above the broach in the later pictures ?
ردحذفI was going to ask that too. Is it some sort of Vatican Order that Camilla was presented with? And wore immediately?
حذفI found out it's the Order of Pius IX, Dame Grand Cross, that was given to Camilla earlier in the day.
حذفThe irony is not lost on anyone,that England left the Catholic Church so Henry 8th could divorce and remarry.Now centuries on,we’ve come full circle with King Charles a divorcee sitting at the hand of the Pope. Life has a funny way of taking us full circle.
ردحذفFashion wise I couldn’t think of a more unflattering headpiece than the this. It looked more fitting to a Halloween event than an audience with the Pope. Camilla could have worn a black hat and small veil. This veil is half way down her back. Not one of her better choices.
Lowri.
The black veil is part of an older dress code for a visit to the vatican, a bit of research would be good before judging. The Late Queen Elizabeth II wore a veil for such a visit too. The headpiece connected to it is also not for my liking, but @Anon 17:12 with her "attention seeking queen" is inappropriate and says more about Anon 17:12 than about the queen.
ردحذف@Anon 21:01 There is a huge difference between a black lace mantilla, and a black brides veil made of tulle attached to a floral or feathered headdress. Look at Camilla and decide which of the two she is wearing. I'd suggest you take your own advice and do some research before preaching to others not to be judgemental.
حذف- Anon 9:13
I'm not even sure what those spiky things are suppose to be/represent. Are they black leaves? Well ... I guess they gave the Pope something to focus on if the conversation got boring at any point.
ردحذفThe head piece draws too much attention, Why?? thought this is a diplomatic, cultural ideas exchange visit.
ردحذفCamilla's dress, fabric, jewels, shoes were spot on for the occasion. The thing on her head was a 'look at me moment' which fell flatter than a pancake. Other posters remarked the hat looked like crows, I tend to agree, however the bigger picture is why she would make such a feeble attempt to look 'special', when the occasion was not about her, but something far greater than her.
ردحذفEdwina
The headdress looks like something Maxima would wear.
ردحذفQueen Max ........ NEVER .
حذفI agree deadeggs, Maxima would never.
حذفI think Camilla was aiming for Kate’s coronation tiara effect but in black. I think she failed.
ردحذفWell said
حذفlollllllllllllllllllllllllll
ردحذفCom o acessório esquisito na cabeça parece a Cruella de Vil.
ردحذفVery nice and with protocol. But what are these crows wing headdress. Hope she'll never wear it again.
ردحذفcss
The headdress is not attractive or appealing on any level. The black dress looks good, fits well and is appropriate. Love the pearl choker and earrings.
ردحذفThis hat is so horrible and ridiculous, it even beats the silly ones Beatrice and Eugenie wore at William’s wedding. Horrendous.
ردحذفCH
@ deadeggs ... indeed, Maxima would have worn something even more horrendous (remember the butterfly mess worn one King`s day) but then there would have been the usual comments about how she can wear such things because of her wonderful smile/personality etc.. I do not like Camilla`s choice here but wonder if it looked better in `real life`, I also think it doesn`t deserve the tsunami of negative comments considering some head adornemnets worn by royal ladies have been far worse. To other contributors - King Charles looks very smart and as the Head of the Church of England there is no reason why he should wear black to defer to the Pope.
ردحذفWearing black is not deferring to the pope. It is a matter of the ever present blue suit not coordinating well with the black tie. A darker suit would have looked better. And keep in mind that the BRF has dress codes that are expected to be followed during various events, just as the Vatican has its own dress codes. Vatican City is a city-state and the pope is the sovereign of the Vatican as well as the head of the Catholic Church. When meeting a head of state, people typically dress so as not to offend according to local customs.
حذفThe difference between Camilla's headpiece and other times avant-garde headpieces that have been worn is the occasion. When dressing for a papal audience, one is in black because it conveys modesty and humility before God, and demure styles are protocol (knees and shoulders covered, wearing long sleeves). Camilla's headpiece is not exactly demure. It draws attention. It wasn't the best choice for the time and place.
TBH I love Camilla’s mantilla/headpiece. It frames her face beautifully and it’s complexity and edginess contrasts with the simplicity of the dress and veil. I think she looks magnificent
ردحذفI love it too.
حذفIn fact I love pretty much everything by Philip Treacy. He is without question the world's best royal milliner. He certainly knows how to flatter Queen Camilla's features; and this "halo" style headpiece with a nature theme is in my view a signature look for her, which he started with her wedding headpiece in 2005. Such a goddess vibe he has created with this black one... Lyra
The late Queen Elizabeth wore the Vladimir Tiara and a mantilla for her papal visit. She was chief of state and the Commonwealth. Dress codes have changed. Also, Camilla is not a reigning Queen, but I get the feeling she attempted to elevate her mantilla to a queenly level with all those tiara-like spikes. Are they dyed feathers? Not a success.
ردحذف@15.02 your comment re - dress codes is illuminating. King Charles is king of the UK and 14 other countries, I would think he knows about dress codes/protocol involved in a state visit. As for the Queen's headpiece not being demure enough, in your opinion, Catholic queens in the past have worn a plethora of jewels and extravagant tiaras when visiting a pope - but you seem to think her headpiece is in someway insulting.
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